“And he was casting out the devil and it was mute. And it came to pass when the devil was gone out, the mute spoke; and the people marveled. 15But some of them said, “[He casts] out demons through Beelzebub the chief of demons.” 16And others to test him kept seeking a sign from heaven. 17But he knowing their thoughts said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate; and a divided house, falls. 18And so if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? For you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

”” Luke 11:14-18 LBW)

First, it is interesting to note that Jesus can read the minds of those around about Him. This of course is not a new revelation but every time someone entertains an image of a thought, Jesus immediately knows. The thought captured in a Christmas song begs to compare: “He sees you when you’re sleeping; he knows when you’re awake.” It once again proves that Jesus knows your thoughts before you express them.

Luke shows a specific interest in Jesus’ uncanny awareness of what goes on in people’s minds. We are to understand that the verbal expressions of such thoughts noted in vv 15–16 were directed only to the immediate neighbors of those who spoke and could not be overheard by Jesus. Jesus points to the desolation caused by civil war, (Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate). Then He remarks to them something similar with respect to houses (a divided house, falls).

Secondly, Jesus answers his accusers by revealing the illogicality of their charge on two grounds. (1) Surely Satan (or Beelzebub) would not work against his own followers (the demons). (2) If it is true that Jesus casts out demons by the authority of Satan then perhaps it is true that the followers of his accusers cast out demons by Satanic power also. This second point reveals the inconsistency of their accusation. On what grounds can they charge Jesus? Is there any reason to suppose that Jesus’ power is derived from an evil source? No, Jesus drives out demons because He is God manifested in flesh.

Although this is a valuable lesson to learn, 1) that Jesus knows our thoughts, 2) any division of purposes causes a house to fall, it is reduced to nothingness if we do not apply it to the present day. Do we all pull together or are we pulling in separate directions? Are our intents for God’s kingdom greater than for our own? Only each saint can answer this question. And remember, God knows our mind and thoughts.

Although I did not include v 23 in the text, it summarizes this argument of a house for God or one for Beelzebub. There is no middle ground. You are with Jesus, or you are against Him; either you help Jesus gather the things of the kingdom, or you scatter (or hinder) the kingdom. Verse 20 says that the kingdom of God has come to you. That kingdom is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Grab ahold and work within the kingdom.

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Pastor of Calvary Apostolic Church in Georgetown, Kentucky. Former teacher at Stockton Bible College in Stockton, California where he taught Church History, Revelation, and Life Sciences. He taught in the public school system for 17 years where he taught life sciences at the college level for several years.